Too lazy or too busy? Almost half of motorists don’t wash their own cars

Published:12:12Thursday 25 August 2016

More than four in ten motorists in the East Midlands get someone else to wash their car, according to a new survey.

The research carried out by AA Cars, found that 45 per cent of motorists in the region get someone else to clean their vehicle.

The AA-Populus poll, which canvassed 19,619 AA members on how often they clean their cars, and the methods most frequently used, found that almost a quarter (22%) of British car owners polled now use a pop-up hand car wash.

The survey also revealed that fewer professionals across the country (54%) wash their own cars compared to semi-skilled and manual workers (63%).

The results also highlighted a difference between genders, with two thirds of men (61%) claiming to do a DIY bucket and sponge job, or home pressure washer, compared to 49% of women who prefer to pay to have their cars washed.

But the survey also showed that just one in ten respondents give their car a clean on the outside once a week, with 29 per cent admitting they only gave their vehicle a wash once every few months.

Paul Yates, managing director of AA Cars, said: “The British tradition of washing our cars at the weekend does seem to be dying though. Across the UK, 32% of car owners now outsource the job, with around a third of these opting for an automatic car wash.

“Obvious as it may sound, cleaning your car is a prerequisite if you’re looking to sell. Advertising a dirty vehicle is a sure-fire way to give potential buyers the wrong impression – that you’re willing to cut corners.”

% motorists who clean their cars themselves

London

42%

South East

53%

Eastern

54%

East Midlands

55%

West Midlands

57%

North West

57%

Northern Ireland

58%

Yorkshire & Humberside

59%

South West

62%

North East

63%

Wales

65%

Scotland

68%

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